Tim Keene found guilty of influence of grand jurors, not guilty on other charges

By Paula Walter

The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation (TBI) arrested Tim Keene of Laurel Bloomery on March 29, 2012. After Johnson County Mayor Larry Potter reported missing funds, TBI opened an investigation in April 2011 at the request of the First Judicial District Attorney’s office. After an audit was done by Tennessee’s Comptroller’s office, Keene was arrested and booked in to the Johnson County jail on a $5,000 bond. He was charged with one count of theft under $500, 24 counts of failure to register motor vehicles, along with nine counts of improper influence of Grand Jurors. According to the Johnson County Circuit Clerk’s office, Keene was found guilty by a jury trial of four counts of improper influence of grand jurors on April 1, 2013. He was found not guilty of all other charges. His sentencing is set for April 23, 2013.